This
renaissance town hardly needs an introduction.
Home to Botticelli, Michelangelo's David,
the Ponte Vecchio, Dante and the Medici,
it can be a battle for the senses with its
overwhelming collection of art and history
along with its never ending tourists, trattoria's
and souvenir shops. It has more treasures
than any city in the world with 21 palaces,
55 historic churches, 8 galleries and
museums.
CHURCHES AND
TOWERS
Duomo
This is one of Italy's most famous monuments and the
fourth largest cathedral in the world. The view of its
pink, white and green marble facade will be a memory
most visitors take away from Italy. The dome was
designed by Brunelleschi and dominates the skyline of
Florence (go to Piazza Michelangelo to see). It's
worth the hike to the dome and the rooftop for views
of Florence. The dome is open weekdays from 8.30am to
6.20pm, Saturday to 5pm. Cost? It is free to enter
inside the main part of the church. Attending a mass
service here is also recommended. The Bell Tower
This 82m high structure stands next to the Duomo and
was designed and begun by Giotto. It is possible to
climb it daily. 9am to 6.50pm (4.20pm in winter).
Cost? Baptistry
This Romanesque building also stands next to the Duomo
and is famous for its golden bronze doors, although
the original panels have been removed for restoration.
It is open Monday to Saturday from 1.30 to 6.30pm,
Sunday from 8.30am to 1.30pm. Cost? Basilica di San Lorenzo and Cappelle
Medicee
This basilica was built in the 15th century and also
designed by Brunelleschi. Santa Maria Novella
This Dominican church was built from the 13-14th
centuries and has a white and green marble facade. Convento di San Marco
This Monastery of St Mark is now a museum of the work
of Fra Angelico. This monk decorated the cells with
dazzling frescoes. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30am
to 2pm. Cost? Capella di Filippo Strozzi
This chapel contains frescoes by Filippo Lippi.
PIAZZAS
Piazza Michelangelo This is the best place to watch a sunset over Florence and hang out on
summer evenings. To get there cross the Ponte Vecchio, turn left and walk
along the river. The Piazza is above you (turn right at Piazza Giuseppe
Poggi). Alternatively take bus No 13 from the train station.
Piazza della Signoria
This square was the scene of many important politicial
events in Florentine history, including the execution
of the religious and political reformer Savonarola.
The fountains, cafes, buskers and crowds here make it
a nice place to relax. The David on display here is
just a copy. The square is just outside Palazzo
Vecchio a block up from the Duomo towards the Ponte
Vecchio.
GALLERIAS
Uffizi Gallery Uffizi Gallery
The Medici family who ruled Florence collected most of the paintings inside
this gallery and it is thus one of Italy's most important collections.
Unfortunately the gallery's second corridor was damaged in a 1993 bomb
attack and a flood earlier also damaged some of the art works. But there is
still plenty to see including Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Allegory of
Spring; Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian, Rubens, Van Dyck,
Rembrandt, Goya and much more. In tourist season there are huge queues
outside. If you want to avoid the long wait and don't mind paying a small
booking fee you can set the time of your visit and just walk in. Open
Tuesday to Saturday from 8.30am to 10pm, Sunday to 8pm. EU passport holders
under 25 years and over 60 get in half price. Children are free entry.
Galleria dell'Accademia
This is where you go to see Michelangelo's
David (the one in Piazza della Signoria
is a copy). Open Tuesday to Saturday, 8.30am
to 10pm, Sunday to 8pm.
OTHER SIGHTS
Palazzo Vecchio
This palace was the traditional seat of the Florentine
government and became the ducal palace of the Medici
family before they moved to Palazzo Pitti. Entrance to
the beautiful courtyard is free but to see the
apartments a cost is involved. Open Monday to
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 7pm, Sunday
to 1pm. Ponte Vecchio
This is the most famous bridge in all Italy and a
great place to eat a Florentine gelato. The famous
14th century bridge which is now lined with jewellry
shops was once filled with butcher shops and a
corridor on the 1st floor linked the Medici families
Palazzo Pitti to the Uffizi Gallery. It is the only
bridge to survive Nazi bombing in WWII. Palazzo Pitti
This palace houses several museums and galleries and
the royal apartments of the Medici. The Galleria
Palatina is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8.30am to
10pm, Sunday to 8pm. The Museo degli Argenti, Galleria
del Costume, and Galleria d'Arte Moderna are open
Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 2pm.
MARKETS
Open Air market
This market is held every day except Sunday in the
streets of San Lorenzo near the Mercato Centrale.
There are leather goods, clothing and jewellery but
watch out for quality. Flea market
Also closed on Sundays, this market is not as large as
the open air market. It's held at Piazza dei Cimpi,
off Borgo Allegri near the Church of Santa Croce. Mercato Centrale
This covered market in San Lorenzo is open Monday to
Saturday from 7am to 2pm and also Saturday from 4 to
8pm. Fresh produce, cheese and meat is sold.
OTHER
Fiesole
Fiesole has spectacular views of Florence (8km to the south) and is nestled
in the hily valleys between the Arno and Mugnone rivers. It has Etruscan,
Roman and a Renaissance past and was something of a summer retreat. Fiesole
has a duomo, an impressive art museum and an archaeological site featuring
an Etruscan temple and the remains of a Roman theatre and baths. Fiesole is
especially popular as a picnic spot, and its fascinating winding streets
offer atmospheric walks.
Medici Villas The Medicis built villas in the countryside around Florence during the 15th
and 16th centuries. The Villa della Petraia, 3.5km north of the city, is one
of the finest. It was commissioned by Cardinal Ferdinand de' Medici in 1576,
and features magnificent gardens. The Villa di Castello, farther north, was
the summer home of Lorenzo the Magnificent, and the Villa di Poggio at
Caiano was a more permanent base, built for Lorenzo by di Sangallo about
15km from Florence.
Mugello Region
This region north-east of Florence has some of the
most original villages in Tuscany. The Sieve River
which winds through the grape-filled valley is popular
with canoeists. The region itself is popular with
walkers, trekkers, climbers and horse riders. Sights
include the Montesenario Convent and the wine town of
Rufina. Prato
Prato is almost 20km north-west of Florence but has
been caught in the sprawl of the larger city. It was
founded by the Ligurians but then taken over by the
Etruscans and Romans. During the 11th century it
became a wool production centre. Today it is one of
Italy's major textile producers. The old city is
virtually intact and has palaces, art galleries,
cathedrals, and an imperial castle.
